Chiang Mai Residents Endure Water Shortage as Floods Disrupt Supply.

Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai residents are suffering greatly, with tap water not flowing for 5 days now. The Waterworks Authority is rushing to repair the system damaged by the floods. It is expected that it will return to normal in 2-3 days. According to Thai News Agency, villagers in Rom Yen Village and several villages in Pa Tan Subdistrict, including Ban Tho Community, Chang Phueak Subdistrict, Mueang District, are experiencing significant inconvenience due to the malfunctioning of the Mae Rim Waterworks' water pumping station. The damage, caused by flooding, has left residents unable to perform basic tasks like showering, forcing some to seek refuge in hotels or at friends' houses. The situation has also affected local businesses, with some shops and restaurants unable to operate. Nichapoom, a 39-year-old film director residing in the Fusion project, Baan Tho Pa Tan, highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that many establishments, including laundry shops, have had to cease operations. While water truck s have been dispatched by the Mae Rim Waterworks Branch and the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organization to distribute water, the supply remains insufficient due to the wide area affected by the shortage. In a glimmer of hope, water began to flow into homes in the Fusion project and Romyen Village this morning, albeit at a slow pace. Residents remain uncertain whether this improvement is temporary or indicative of a full system recovery. Efforts by the Mae Rim branch of the Provincial Waterworks Authority to restore the water delivery system have been ongoing, with workers removing debris from the clogged raw water pumping pipes. The current water supply in the Mae Rim Waterworks system is at a critical 30 percent, necessitating reduced water delivery to prevent air from entering the system. Authorities anticipate that within 2-3 days, the water level will increase to over 60 percent, allowing for normal water delivery.